Yellow-throated Apalis

Expertly camouflaged amongst the fast-moving rocky rivers and streams it prefers, this specialized wader is often difficult to see. Upperparts are gray and faded brown; white belly is bound in by a black belt; a vaguely crescent-shaped black patch on the face is unique among waders. Usually seen foraging solitarily, moving slowly around and between stones and boulders and picking out aquatic invertebrates with its blood-red bill.

Rare, endangered, and poorly known hummingbird restricted to mangroves and adjacent scrubby areas along the Colombian coast. Male has sapphire underparts extending from throat all the way to belly, and lacks the distinct hood typical of the more common Sapphire-throated Hummingbird. Female’s plumage is not known with certainty, but likely resembles female Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, which has white central underparts bordered by green flanks, and white tail tips.

Small black-and-white shearwater with relatively long tail and somewhat rounded wings. Usually flies low to the water with fluttering wingbeats, but in strong winds it can fly with high wheeling arcs. Undertail coverts are typically dark, but this can be very difficult to see in the field. Compare with Manx Shearwater, which is larger with longer, more pointed wings, light undertail coverts, and a darker face. Found over warm tropical waters, especially around floating mats of Sargassum weed. Often seen singly or in pairs but can gather in loose flocks, sometimes loafing with other shearwater species.